Chapter 9: Madhu’s Wish
Chapter Introduction
“Madhu’s Wish” is a thoughtful and interesting story about a boy named Madhu who loved food very much. He always wanted to eat different types of food and snacks. One day, he shared his lunch with an old man. In return for his kindness, the old man gave him a magical gift — he could wish for anything from a tree, and it would come true.
Madhu wished only for different kinds of food. At first, he was very happy. But soon, he learned an important lesson about the value of water and the dangers of being greedy. The story teaches us that basic needs are more important than endless desires.
Detailed Notes (Explanation)
Madhu was a boy who loved eating. Every day, he sat under a banyan tree and ate his lunch.
One day, an old man came near him. Madhu felt sorry for him and shared his food. The old man was happy and told Madhu that he could wish for anything from the tree.
Madhu wished for different kinds of food and nothing else.
First, a basket full of laddoos appeared. Madhu ate them happily. After some time, he got bored and asked for fruits like mangoes, apples, bananas, grapes, guavas, jackfruit and melons. They appeared immediately.
Then he asked for savouries like samosas, kachoris, vada, potato chips and matri. Huge baskets of snacks appeared.
Madhu kept eating. Suddenly, he got hiccups. He wanted water. But there was no water anywhere.
He asked the tree for water. The tree said, “You wished only for food, not water.”
Madhu tried drinking sharbat, kheer and badam milk, but his hiccups did not stop. He became very thirsty and worried.
Finally, he understood his mistake. He prayed to the tree to make all the food disappear and give him water instead.
A jug of water appeared. Madhu drank it quickly. His hiccups stopped. He was no longer thirsty.
Madhu learned that water is very important and nothing can replace it.
Message of the Story:
We should not be greedy.
Water is very important for life.
Basic needs are more important than luxury.
Kindness should be thoughtful and wise.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Forever | For all time |
| Immediately | At once |
| Savouries | Salty snacks |
| Hiccups | A sudden sound made while breathing |
| Replace | To take the place of something |
| Thirsty | Feeling the need to drink water |
Question & Answers
1. What did Madhu enjoy?
Madhu enjoyed eating different kinds of food and snacks.2. Why did the old man give Madhu a special gift?
He gave the gift because Madhu shared his food kindly.3. What did Madhu wish for?
Madhu wished for different types of food.4. Name some sweets that appeared.
Laddoos appeared first.5. Name some fruits that appeared.
Mangoes, apples, bananas, grapes, guavas, jackfruit and melons appeared.6. Name some savouries that appeared.
Samosas, kachoris, vada, potato chips and matri appeared.7. What problem did Madhu face?
He got hiccups and became very thirsty.8. Why did the tree refuse to give water at first?
Because Madhu had wished only for food and not water.9. Did sharbat and milk stop his hiccups?
No, they did not stop his hiccups.10. What did Madhu finally realise?
He realised that water is very important.11. What did he ask the tree in the end?
He asked for water and wanted all the food to disappear.12. What happened after he drank water?
His hiccups stopped and he felt better.13. Was Madhu greedy at first?
Yes, he kept asking for more food.14. What lesson do we learn from this story?
We learn not to be greedy and to value water.15. If you had one wish, what would you ask for? Why?
I would ask for good health for everyone because it is most important.